GDT: 7/27/11 - DET (55-48) AT CWS (50-52) - 2:10 p.m. ET

Danks, Scherzer to duel for important series win

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com | 7/27/2011 12:15 AM ET

The White Sox came into their series against the Tigers knowing how important all three games were in the bigger picture of the American League Central race.

And now, after splitting the first two games, Chicago still sits 4 1/2 games back of first-place Detroit, trying to take a crucial series victory on Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field.

The South Siders will turn to left-hander John Danks, who has worked to regain his form since coming off the disabled list on July 20 with a strained right oblique.

Tossing seven shutout innings in his last start against the Royals, Danks took a no-decision. He also struck out six and walked one.

"I'm feeling a lot better going into every start," Danks said. "I feel like I'm throwing the ball well and getting results, too, which makes it always a lot more fun."

Danks also feels like he is making more quality pitches on a consistent basis and getting the outs to prove it.

"We've been working hard. We haven't really changed a whole lot in terms of our preparation in between starts," Danks said. "It seems like even hard-hit balls, there's a chance they will get caught. For a little bit, it felt like there weren't any of them getting caught."

The Tigers will try to shake the White Sox in the series finale with right-hander Max Scherzer, who picked up his 11th win of the season on Friday against the Twins.

Going seven innings, Scherzer gave up just one run on four hits for his third straight quality start. He also faced just four batters over the minimum in his seven frames.

"He really had a pretty comfortable seven innings," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said afterward. "I thought he did a good job. He didn't really tire at all, I didn't think."

Tigers: Inge officially joins Toledo
• Brandon Inge was back with Triple-A Toldeo on Tuesday, after the longtime Tiger cleared waivers earlier in the day and was officially outrighted.

The assignment completes last Wednesday's roster move to designate his contract after Detroit acquired Wilson Betemit from Kansas City. As a player with 10 years of Major League service time, all with the Tigers, Inge had the right to decline a Minor League assignment and ask for his release, which the Tigers would've had to honor. He decided to accept it after talking with his agent and organizational officials.

• Tigers top prospect Jacob Turner returned to the rotation at Double-A Erie on Monday night with eight innings of three-run ball after having his turn in the SeaWolves rotation skipped last week.

White Sox: Pena out for season
Reliever Tony Pena, who has not pitched for the White Sox since May 27, will not be on the mound the rest of the season. Pena said on Tuesday that Tommy John surgery had been recommended on his right elbow, but he will seek a second opinion next week when visiting Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles.

"Oh my god, it hurt," said Pena of his last rehab appearance, which lasted four pitches. "They told me I've got to do surgery. I don't know how it feels now because I'm not pitching."

Worth Noting
• Aside from Gavin Floyd pitching on Friday, the White Sox have not set up their remaining rotation against Boston. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said that Philip Humber is "out there somewhere" against the Red Sox. Humber has been available out of the bullpen during the Tigers series and in Sunday's final game against the Indians.

• Detroit's Jhonny Peralta is hitting .400 (16-for-40) since the All-Star break, with three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.


Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 4.35 ERA)

Picking up his 11th win of the season, Scherzer beat the Twins for the first time on Friday in five career starts against Minnesota. Scherzer went seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts.


White Sox: LHP John Danks (3-8, 3.92 ERA)

Danks certainly didn't look rusty in his first start since going on the DL on June 26. The lefty threw seven scoreless innings against KC, allowing five hits and striking out six. He left with a 1-0 lead but got a no-decision in an 11-inning loss.


Game Information



RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

• ,
• XM Channel Schedule



• Thursday, July 28:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (7-7, 4.51 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Joel Pineiro (5-5, 4.61 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, July 29:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (10-6, 4.67 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-6, 3.64 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, July 30:
Tigers (LHP Duane Below (0-1, 4.66 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Dan Haren (10-6, 3.01 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 31:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA)) VS
Angels (RHP Jered Weaver (13-4, 1.81 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Ryan Raburn, LF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Carlos Guillen, 2B
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Alex Avila, C

P: Max Scherzer

WHITE SOX

Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Paul Konerko, DH
Adam Dunn, 1B
Carlos Quentin, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Alejandro De Aza, CF
Gordon Beckham, 2B

P: John Danks

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Adam Dunn.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

CWS - Bot 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Juan Pierre out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Omar Vizquel singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Paul Konerko out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Adam Dunn walks. Omar Vizquel to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Carlos Quentin out swinging.

0 - 0 after 1 inning

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

CWS - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Max Scherzer.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alexei Ramirez walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alejandro De Aza homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Alexei Ramirez scores.
CWS 2 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:1
Gordon Beckham singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Juan Pierre grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Gordon Beckham to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Omar Vizquel grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Pierre. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gordon Beckham, deflected by first baseman Adam Dunn. Carlos Guillen to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

CWS - Bot 3rd
Injury Delay.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Paul Konerko out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Adam Dunn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Carlos Quentin pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:2
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Adam Dunn to 2nd.

With Alexei Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Max Scherzer, Adam Dunn to 3rd. A. J. Pierzynski to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Alexei Ramirez lines out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez walks. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

CWS - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alejandro De Aza out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Gordon Beckham walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Juan Pierre grounds into a force out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Gordon Beckham out at 2nd. Juan Pierre to 1st.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Omar Vizquel pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn walks. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

CWS - Bot 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Paul Konerko called out on .

B:4 S:2 O:1
Adam Dunn walks.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Carlos Quentin called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:3
A. J. Pierzynski singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Pierzynski out at 2nd, right fielder Magglio Ordonez to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Alejandro De Aza.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta hit by pitch.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alejandro De Aza. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on .

CWS - Bot 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Gordon Beckham out swinging.

CWS 2 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson homers (5) on a fly ball to left center field.
CWS 2 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Chris Sale replaces John Danks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn pops out to second baseman Gordon Beckham in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

CWS - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Max Scherzer.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Juan Pierre singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Omar Vizquel out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Juan Pierre to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Phil Coke intentionally walks Paul Konerko.

With Adam Dunn batting, wild pitch by Phil Coke, Juan Pierre to 3rd.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Adam Dunn walks. Paul Konerko to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Carlos Quentin flies into double play, left fielder Ryan Raburn to catcher Alex Avila. Juan Pierre out at home on the throw.

CWS 2 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Adam Dunn.

CWS - Bot 8th
B:0 S:0 O:1
A. J. Pierzynski pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alexei Ramirez out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Alejandro De Aza grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


CWS 2 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Sergio Santos replaces Chris Sale.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brennan Boesch replaces Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Carlos Quentin.